Contenders for the 19th South African Film and Television Awards were announced today (17 February 2026) with nominees chosen from 434 eligible applicants.
The awards went on a snooze cruise last year and didn't happen at the end of the year.
They've moved back to March, which is where they were before Covid.
The Craft Awards are happening on 13 March and will be streamed on the SAFTAs YouTube channel and social media pages.
The Main Awards take place on 14 March and will air live on SABC2 and Mzansi Magic, with a red carpet build-up.
Because of the delay, the eligibility dates have been extended from a year to 18 months. Shows and films that aired from
1 January 2024 to 30 June 2025 could enter.
The theme: "One Story. One Industry. One Future."
Tshedza Pictures productions have the most nominations with a total of 24, followed by Quizzical Pictures who have 22.
These are the nominees in the front of house categories with some behind-the-scenes ones that grabbed our attention, followed by a link to them all:
DRAMA
BEST TV DRAMA
Catch Me a Killer
Production House: Local Motion Pictures
Go!
Production House: Ten30 Pictures
Niggies
Production House: Wolflight Films
Reyka 2
Production House: Quizzical Pictures
White Lies
Production House: Quizzical Pictures
BEST ACTRESS IN A TV DRAMA
Amalia Uys (Tuiskoms)
Production House: Infinity Films
Gail Mabalane (Unseen 2)
Production House: Gambit Films
Kim Engelbrecht (Reyka 2)
Production House: Quizzical Pictures
BEST ACTOR IN A TV DRAMA
Frank Opperman (Nêrens, Noord-Kaap 2)
Production House: Nagvlug Films
Mothusi Magano (Unseen 2)
Production House: Gambit Films
Presley Chweneyagae (Cobrizi)
Production House: Tshedza Pictures
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TV DRAMA
Marion Holm (Nêrens, Noord-Kaap 2)
Production House: Nagvlug Films
Michelle Botes (Tuiskoms)
Production House: Infinity Films
Robyn Scott (Recipes For Love And Murder 2)
Production House: Both Worlds Pictures
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TV DRAMA
AJ Cullinan (Catch Me a Killer)
Production House: Local Motion Pictures
Jabulani Mthembu (Catch Me a Killer)
Production House: Local Motion Pictures
Kagiso Kuypers (Catch Me a Killer)
Production House: Local Motion Pictures
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN ORIGINAL MUSIC/SCORE - TV DRAMA
Niggies (Cousins)
Practitioner: Pierre Henri Wicomb
Production House: Wolflight Films
Reyka 2
Practitioner: Chris Letcher
Production House: Quizzical Pictures
Soon Comes Night
Practitioner: Joel Assaizky
Production House: Ochre Media
Tuiskoms
Practitioner: Loki (Lourens) Rothman
Production House: Infinity Films
White Lies
Practitioners: Edward George King & Charl-Johan Lingenfelder
Production House: Quizzical Pictures
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN AN ORIGINAL SONG - TV DRAMA
Een Keer om die Son
Practitioner: Almero Welgemoed
Production House: 17 FILMS
Koek
Practitioner: Loki Rothman
Production House: Wolflight Films
Summertide
Practitioner: Daniel Eppel
Production House: Red Letter Day Pictures
Tuiskoms
Practitioners: Loki (Lourens) Rothman & Margot Rothman
Production House: Infinity Films
White Lies
Practitioners: Edward George King & Charl-Johan Lingenfelder
Production House: Quizzical Pictures
COMEDY
BEST TV COMEDY
How to Ruin Love: The Proposal
Production House: Burnt Onion Productions
Mabaso Family Reunion
Production House: Black Brain Pictures
Magda Louw 2
Production House: Homebrew Films
Mince Jou Hare
Production House: Penguin Films
The Morning After
Production House: Both Worlds Pictures
BEST ACTRESS IN A TV COMEDY
Desiré Gardner (Magda Louw 2)
Production House: homebrew films
Lerato Mvelase (Mabaso Family Reunion)
Production House: Black Brain Pictures
Sivenathi Mabuya-Bukani (How to Ruin Love: The Proposal)
Production House: Burnt Onion Productions
BEST ACTOR IN A TV COMEDY
Bonko Khoza (Mabaso Family Reunion)
Production House: Black Brain Pictures
Hannes van Wyk (Magda Louw 2)
Production House: homebrew films
Pietie Beyers (Pronk Primêr)
Production House: Sonvelt Media
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TV COMEDY
Bianca Flanders (Mince Jou Hare)
Production House: Penguin Films
Lee-Ann van Rooi (Mince Jou Hare)
Production House: Penguin Films
Shoki Mmola (How to Ruin Love: The Proposal)
Production House: Burnt Onion Productions
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TV COMEDY
Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha (Mabaso Family Reunion)
Production House: Black Brain Pictures
Thabo Malema (How to Ruin Love: The Proposal)
Production House: Burnt Onion Productions
Tobie Cronjé (Pronk Primêr)
Production House: Sonvelt Media
SOAPIES & TELENOVELAS
BEST TV SOAP
Binnelanders
Production House: Stark Films
Generations: The Legacy
Production House: MMSV Productions
Scandal!
Production House: Ochre Media
Skeem Saam
Production House: Peu
Suidooster
Production House: Suidooster Films
BEST TELENOVELA
Blood Legacy
Production House: Gambit Films
Kelders van Geheime
Production House: KFilms
Inimba
Production House: The Milton Empire
iThonga
Production House: Tshedza Pictures
Youngins
Production House: Tshedza Pictures
BEST ACTRESS IN A TV SOAP
Je-ani Swiegelaar (Binnelanders)
Production House: Stark Films
Johannah Mamarumo Marokane (Scandal!)
Production House: Ochre Media
Londeka Sishi (Scandal!)
Production House: Ochre Media
BEST ACTOR IN A TV SOAP
Aubrey Poo (Generations: The Legacy)
Production House: MMSV Productions
Eugene Olof (Hykie) Berg (Binnelanders)
Production House: Stark Films
Vusi Kunene (Generations: The Legacy)
Production House: MMSV Productions
BEST ACTRESS IN A TELENOVELA
Celeste Loots (Wyfie)
Production House: homebrew films
Nelisiwe Sibiya (iThonga)
Production House: Tshedza Pictures
Sandra Prinsloo (Kelders Van Geheime)
Production House: KFilms
BEST ACTOR IN A TELENOVELA
Bonko Khoza (iThonga)
Production House: Tshedza Pictures
Pallance Dladla (Queendom)
Production House: Clive Morris Productions
Sello Maake Ka-Ncube (Champions)
Production House: Tshedza Pictures
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TV SOAP
Duduzile Faith Ngcobo (Uzalo)
Production House: Stained Glass TV
Ilsé Klink (Suidooster)
Production House: Suidooster Films
Vele Manenje (Skeem Saam)
Production House: Peu
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TV SOAP
Jerome du Plooy (Generations: The Legacy)
Production House: MMSV Productions
Litlhonolofatso Litlhakanyane (Scandal!)
Production House: Ochre Media
Sello Maake Ka-Ncube (Skeem Saam)
Production House: Peu
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TELENOVELA
Brümilda van Rensburg (Kelders Van Geheime)
Production House: KFilms
Zenande Mfenyana (Inimba)
Production House: The Milton Empire
Zodwa Nkosi (iThonga)
Production House: Tshedza Pictures
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TELENOVELA
Anele Matoti (Gqeberha: The Empire)
Production House: Tshedza Pictures
Dawid Minnaar (Kelders Van Geheime)
Production House: KFilms
Neo Ntlatleng (Empini)
Production House: Crystal Pics TV
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN ORIGINAL MUSIC/SCORE - TELENOVELA
Champions
Practitioner: Brendan Jury
Production House: Tshedza Pictures
iThonga
Practitioner: Brendan Jury
Production House: Tshedza Pictures
Kelders Van Geheime
Practitioner: Loki Rothman
Production House: KFilms
Reënboogrant
Practitioner: Wesley West
Production House: Sonvelt Media
Youngins
Practitioner: Brendan Jury
Production House: Tshedza Pictures
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN AN ORIGINAL SONG - TELENOVELA
Genesis
Practitioner: Mojalefa Thebe
Production House: Singavision Productions
iThonga
Practitioners: Max-Hoba & Tlotleho Mohlahlane
Production House: Tshedza Pictures
Isiphetho: Destiny
Practitioners: Johnross Vuma & Mandla Ngcongwane
Production House: Black Brain Pictures
Kelders Van Geheime
Practitioner: Loki Rothman
Production House: KFilms
Skemergrond
Practitioners: Henry Cloete, Elben Schutte, Chris Samuels, Talitha Luiters & Caleb Felix
Production House: Penguin Films
REALITY
BEST STRUCTURED OR DOCU-REALITY SHOW
In die Sop
Production House: Homebrew Films
Tiek Tok Boem!
Production House: Provoco
Umkhonto Ogwaza Ekhaya
Production House: Devandile Media
BEST COMPETITION REALITY SHOW
Plaasjapie 2
Production House: afrOkaans
The Catch
Production House: Dopezuluboi Productions
Tropika Island of Treasure: Zanzibar
Production House: Cardova Productions
BEST STRUCTURED SOAPIE REALITY SHOW
Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap
Production House: Media24 & POP24
The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice
Production House: Media24 & POP24
Young, Famous & African S2
Production House: Urban Brew Studios & APOP Media
BEST INTERNATIONAL FORMAT
Deal or No Deal Celebrity
Production House: HBC Broadcast Solution
Die Brug
Production House: Red Pepper Pictures
MasterChef South Africa Season 5
Production House: Homebrew Films
PUBLIC VOTE CATEGORIES
Voting opens on 19 February 2026 and closes on 11 March.
BEST TV PRESENTER
Devi Sankaree Govender (The Devi Show)
Production House: eMedia
Emo Adams (Oppi Noot)
Production House: Stemmburg Television
Fezile Mkhize (Top Travel)
Production House: Cardova Productions
Govan Whittles (Carte Blanche)
Production House: Combined Artists
Mthokozisi "MaBlerh" Cele (The Real Housewives of Durban)
Production House: Let It Rain Films
Prince Spitch Nzawumbi (Unfollowed 2)
Production House: Goat (Originals)
Rozanne McKenzie (Geldhelde 5)
Production House: Lizette Strydom Films
Stacey Holland (SuperSport Let's Play: Family Fitness Mornings)
Production House: Wela Productions
Teboho Tsotetsi (On The Base Roundtable Best of Yanos)
Production House: VIS Studios
Wright Ngubeni (Umkhonto Ogwaza Ekhaya)
Production House: Devandile Media
Zanele Potelwa (Tropika Island of Treasure: Zanzibar)
Production House: Cardova Productions
MOST POPULAR TV SOAP OR TELENOVELA
Amalanga Awafani
Production House: Stained Glass TV
Arendsvlei
Production House: Penguin Films
Binnelanders
Production House: Stark Films
Blood Legacy
Production House: Gambit Films
Champions
Production House: Tshedza Pictures
Diepe Waters
Production House: Penguin Films
Empini
Production House: Crystal Pics TV
Generations: The Legacy
Production House: MMSV Productions
Genesis
Production House: Singavision Productions
Gqeberha: The Empire
Production House: Tshedza Pictures
House of Zwide
Production House: The Bomb Shelter Film Company
Isiphetho: Destiny
Production House: Black Brain Pictures
Inimba
Production House: The Milton Empire
Isitha: The Enemy
Production House: Black Brain Pictures
iThonga
Production House: Tshedza Pictures
Kelders Van Geheime
Production House: KFilms
Queendom
Production House: Clive Morris Productions
Reënboogrant
Production House: Sonvelt Media
Scandal!
Production House: Ochre Media
Skeem Saam
Production House: Peu
Skemergrond
Production House: Penguin Films
Smoke & Mirrors
Production House: The Final Chapter Productions
Suidooster
Production House: Suidooster Films
Wyfie
Production House: homebrew films
Youngins
Production House: Tshedza Pictures
Uzalo
Production House: Stained Glass TV
OTHER
BEST MADE FOR TV DOCUMENTARY OR DOCUMENTARY SERIES
Chasing the Sun 2
Production House: T+W
Outside Lane
Production House: Idea Candy
School Ties
Production House: Idea Candy
Steinheist
Production House: Idea Candy
Tracking Thabo Bester
Production House: Idea Candy
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Comrade Tambo's London Recruits
Production House: Arclight Productions
Don't Be Late for My Funeral
Production House: Silver Bullet Films
Language of My Soul
Production House: The Myrmidons
Mother City
Production House: Plexus Films
Zef: The Story of Die Antwoord
Production House: Orange Films
BEST ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME
Her Story 2
Production House: Wife and Hubby
Oppi Noot
Production House: Stemmburg Television
Yash'ingoma 3
Production House: Skepe Entertainment and Urban Brew Studios
BEST VARIETY SHOW
Klanke van my Hart
Production House: Brainwave Productions
Unfollowed 2
Production House: Goat (Originals)
Untied
Production House: Goat (Originals)
BEST YOUTH PROGRAMME
EKSÊ
Production House: Cape Town TV
On The Base Roundtable
Production House: VIS Studios
BEST CHILDREN’S PROGRAMME
Behind the Rainbow
Production House: Storytown Productions
SuperSport Let's Play: Family Fitness Mornings
Production House: Wela Productions
Wandi & Kabz
Production House: Storyline Productions
BEST EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME
30 Winds of Change: Mfundi Vundla
Production House: Barleader TV
Be the Tide
Production House: Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation
Geldhelde 5
Production House: Lizette Strydom Films
Ingono Yomsamo
Production House: Barleader TV
BEST FACTUAL PROGRAMME
Castle Milk Stout Black Conversations
Production House: Passionlane Productions
Confessions of an Assassin, Why I killed Chris Hani - An Annika Larsen Special Report
Production House: e.TV
Ngomusa
Production House: Thape Media
Outopsie
Production House: 7EVENTY9 Films
The Devi Show (Girls and Boys Town)
Production House: eMedia, The Devi Show
BEST LIFESTYLE PROGRAMME
Die Uitdaging
Production House: Ten Seconds
Elders: Ligtoringroete
Production House: Bonanza Films
Spasie
Production House: Walla Films
BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PROGRAMME
Carte Blanche
Production House: Combined Artists
Checkpoint
Production House: eNCA
Cutting Edge
Production House: SABC
In Gesprek met Lourensa Eckard
Production House: Idea Candy
Wie's Nuus
Production House: Media24/POP24
BEST MADE FOR TV MOVIE
Matilda en Matthys
Production House: The Film Factory
Mr Easy Loo
Production House: Black Brain Pictures
Red Zone
Production House: Clive Morris Productions
BEST ONLINE CONTENT
Four Walls
Production House: Weldun Media
Politically Aweh
Production House: Politically Aweh
Thandie
Production House: Johnpheko M. Maphakela
BEST NATURAL HISTORY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME
Africa From Within
Production House: Insync Productions
Bewonder & Bewaar met Bonné de Bod (Nature's Wonder & Conservation with Bonné de Bod)
Production House: Scott & de Bod Films
Day of the Dragon
Production House: Earth Touch
Killer Safari (Croc v Hippo)
Production House: Earth Touch
Wild World Diaries
Production House: Francois Odendaal Productions
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Here's a link to the full list including films and the creative arts categories (make-up, lighting, writing etc.)
19th SAFTAs nominees